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Highlights

Special 'factory spec' 409 High Performance engine bored .060 over with special cylinder heads, special 2-piece intake and carburetors, special camshaft, distributor and aluminum water pump

Driven by Dick Harrell

MCACN Concours Gold in 2016 with a score of 987/1000

Comprehensive restoration in 2016 to as-raced condition by Scott Tiemann and Dan Jensen

Refreshed in Black with correct as-raced lettering

Verified with copy of GM Engineering service parts release letter

Vintage photo

Believed to be 308 original miles

Aluminum fenders, inner fenders and hood

Radio and heater delete

Special 'factory spec' 409 High Performance engine bored .060 over with special cylinder heads, special 2-piece intake and carburetors, special camshaft, distributor and aluminum water pump

Driven by Dick Harrell

MCACN Concours Gold in 2016 with a score of 987/1000

Comprehensive restoration in 2016 to as-raced condition by Scott Tiemann and Dan Jensen

Refreshed in Black with correct as-raced lettering

Verified with copy of GM Engineering service parts release letter

Vintage photo

With the release of the dual 4-barrel 409 in 1962, Chevrolet was winning at dragstrips all across the country. However, Chrysler had a lightweight advantage with its Mopars, and Pontiac came out with the 421 Super Duty Catalinas with aluminum front sheet metal. To stay competitive, Chevrolet released a heavy-duty performance package for professional 409 racers on June 26, 1962. The package included revised cylinder heads, a high-rise two-piece intake, revised AFB carburetors and air cleaner assembly, a new high-lift solid-lifter camshaft and an aluminum water pump. For the body, the package included aluminum front fenders, inner fenders and an aluminum hood.

Due to the difficulty of stamping out the aluminum body parts, only about 16 to 18 cars were built at the assembly plant with the aluminum body parts. The updated engine parts were shipped separately. However to accommodate the racers that already had cars, the aluminum body pieces and engine parts were shipped to them separately, approximately 10 sets of parts provided this way. The recipients were the likes of drivers like “Dyno” Don Nicholson, Dave Strickler, Ronnie Sox and the man later known as “Mr. Chevrolet”, Dick Harrell. However, for these cars to be allowed in the A/S class, 50 cars needed to be produced. Unfortunately, due to production problems, mainly with the ability to stamp out the aluminum body pieces, these cars were only allowed in B/FX.

The Impala offered here was built at the Chevrolet Kansas City assembly plant as an Impala SS with the dual 4-barrel 409 engine, radio delete, heater delete, no body sealer and 4.56:1 gearing strictly for racing. It came optioned with black paint and a red bucket-seat interior. In late 1962, this car benefitted from the addition of the complete Heavy Duty Performance Package and aluminum body panels, in time to compete at the 1963 NHRA Winternationals. The NHRA records show that Dick Harrell won B/FX at the Winter Nationals with this 1962 Impala SS lightweight, but was later disqualified on a cylinder-head technicality. Today, all of the extremely rare 1962 aluminum panels and heavy-duty engine parts are on this car.

The current owner bought this car from a Utah collector, who purchased it unrestored from a succession of collectors, tracing all the way back to race-car builder Don Hardy. Hardy and driver Kelly Chadwick raced this car in 1965 after receiving it through a connection of none other than Dick Harrell.

Following an exacting as-raced freshening by Scott Tiemann and Dan Jensen, this car now has the period-correct M&H Racemaster slicks, 1962 Hurst Competition Plus shifter and S&S-style Z11 tubular headers. No effort was spared here with the amazing Z11 engine components on the motor, and this car shows just 309 miles on the odometer. At the prestigious Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals (MCACN) in 2016, judges awarded this car a stunning 987/1,000 points for Gold Certification.

* The information in this description was provided by the seller without documentation. The content has not been verified by Mecum Auctions.

Information found on the website is presented as advance information for the auction lot. Photos, materials for videos, descriptions and other information are provided by the consignor/seller and is deemed reliable, but Mecum Auction does not verify, warrant or guarantee this information. The lot and information presented at auction on the auction block supersedes any previous descriptions or information. Mecum is not responsible for information that may be changed or updated prior to the auction. The decision to purchase should be based solely on the buyers personal inspection of the lot at the auction site prior to the auction.

Catalogs

Information found on the website is presented as advance information for the auction lot. Photos, materials for videos, descriptions and other information are provided by the consignor/seller and is deemed reliable, but Mecum Auction does not verify, warrant or guarantee this information. The lot and information presented at auction on the auction block supersedes any previous descriptions or information. Mecum is not responsible for information that may be changed or updated prior to the auction. The decision to purchase should be based solely on the buyers personal inspection of the lot at the auction site prior to the auction.